Let’s not beat about the bush: if you’re flying long-haul, business class is best. In fact, once you’ve turned left on a plane, and tasted that delicious champagne and that (hopefully) flat bed, it will take nerves of steel to cross an ocean in any other way.

But not all business classes are created equal. Some are worth that premium price; others less so. Some are best for working; others for sleeping; and others for simply feeling glam (as you'll see below, it's a very personal choice). So because, much as we’d like to, we can’t all afford biz all of the time, we asked the frequent flyers of Jaunted (plus an extremely knowledgeable friend) two questions: which business class is your favorite, and which would you not bother with? Because, if you’re going to splurge, it’d be a shame to land up with a dud, right? #firstworldproblemsalltheway

It's that time of the year again, the time when the year just plain ends. Alas, we can't just let 2014 go that easily, especially since travelers spent it both up in the air and up in arms over a crazy range of topics. Now we take a brief look back at the best and worst of 2014 with the Jaunted Travel Awards,or as we fondly refer to themThe Jauntys.

Airlines begin and end routes all the time. You may take your favorite route for granted, until one day you go to buy a ticket and the destination is no longer offered. Whoops. Luckily airlines are typically looking to expand and 2014 was a year of exciting route additions across the board. What was our favorite?

It has to be the new 12-hour Air Canada nonstop from Toronto-Pearson to Tokyo-Haneda, inaugurated on July 15.

Perhaps you're wondering, "hey, hasn't Air Canada been flying from Toronto to Tokyo for, like, decades?" Yes, yes they have, but never before to the Japanese capital's other, very recently updated and better located airport of Haneda, and never before with their new Boeing 787 Dreamliner. It's the ideal length for passengers to appreciate the advances in comfort and technology of the Dreamliner, and there's the added bonus of arriving to one of the best airports in one of the best cities, on the other side of the world. Tokyo-Haneda!

Sometimes it’s hard to stay on top of all the new route announcements that come our way, so we’ve complied a little bit of a rundown below. As long as you can afford the fares, this should definitely help add to your passport stamp collection.

· Air New Zealand:For those who enjoy flying below the equator there’s a new exciting route heading towards the southern hemisphere thanks to the folks over at Air New Zealand. The new nonstop is planning to fly between Auckland and Buenos Aires beginning in December of 2015, so you have sometime to get those funds—or frequent flyer miles—saved up. Things could obviously change in a year, but it appears that the flights will operate back and forth three times each and every week aboard some Boeing 777s.

· Air Canada:Time to head out of Canada, as Air Canada is getting ready to send some planes and people to and from Calgary International Airport. All in all there’s three new options—first is a daily nonstop between Calgary and Nanaimo—that’s in British Columbia—beginning on May 1. Around the same time the carrier will also be starting up some flights between Calgary and Halifax utilizing some Airbus 319s. Finally beginning on June 1 of next year it’ll be some new service between Calgary and Terrace-Kitimat—that’s in British Columbia too, and yes we had to look it up!

Sometimes it’s hard to stay on top of all the new route announcements that come our way, so we’ve complied a little bit of a rundown below. As long as you can afford the fares, this should definitely help add to your passport stamp collection.

· JetBlue:The free snacks and blue chips are on the move once again, as JetBlue is adding a couple new options to their route network. The carrier plans to do the nonstop thing between Las Vegas and San Francisco beginning on January 5. Things will head back and forth two times each and every day, and it’ll be some of the carrier’s Airbus A320s doing the flying. JetBlue isn’t done there either, as they have one more flight to add. October 29 will bring nonstop flights between Las Vegas and Fort Lauderdale too.

· American Airlines:Here’s a new option for those that enjoy the up in the air experience offered up by American Airlines. The carrier will be heading in and out of Delta’s home in Atlanta, as they’re planning to start new nonstop flights between Los Angeles and Atlanta. The plan is to start taking to the skies beginning on March 5. American Airlines plans to send planes and people between the two cities three times each day, and they’ll be doing it all with some help from their Boeing 737-800s.

When was the last time you heard that an airport? It's a daily occurrence at Nova Scotia's Halifax Stanfield International Airport, where the local specialties shop Clearwater stocks a tank of live lobster ready and willing to enjoy the overhead bin on your next flight out.

Purchase a pincher (live at $8.99/lb, cooked at $9.49/ln) and add a carry-on box complete with ice packs ($7 carry-on, $9 checked), and bring home why may possibly be the best last-minute souvenir from the Canadian maritimes. It sure beats a tiny, 3oz jug of maple syrup.

Find Clearwater before security, just to the left of the security check for Canada-bound flights.

As a major Air Canada hub, Toronto-Pearson International Airport (YYZ) is well outfitted with lounges for the airline's premium travelers. Aside from a Maple Leaf lounge for domestic Canadian flights and another dedicated to Transborder (Canada-USA) travel, YYZ boasts a spacious International Maple Leaf Lounge located in Terminal 1, Concourse F.

Elite Air Canada flyers and those holding Business Class tickets are privy to the free WiFi, modern and comfortable seating, complimentary hot food, snacks, beverages, and alcohol (including all the ingredients for a great Bloody Mary), plus private shower rooms.

Since Air Canada is proud of their status as one of the founding members of the Star Alliance, you can also bet that elite travelers on other Star Alliance international flights (and holders of Star Alliance Gold status) will be welcomed into the classy digs.

The budget carrier of Air Canada—known as Air Canada Rouge—seems to already be rethinking their original plan, as now there are rumors that they won’t just be sending planes and people outside of the country.

Money wise the carrier seems to be doing well, as Air Canada just recently announced some of their biggest quarterly numbers ever. Apparently Air Canada Rouge is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to strong earnings.

Or, rather, the class between Economy and Business has been a popular addition to aircraft for many years now, every since Virgin Atlantic introduced it way, way back in 1992(!!), but some airlines have held off and, in turn, benefitted from the wait by introducing Premium Economy classes with all the latest bells and whistles.

Outside the windows was one of Air Canada's airplanes, sitting chill in her ice blue livery and scarlet maple leaf logo while a flurry of ground vehicles prepared her for a 12-hour flight to Tokyo. Passengers waiting to board forwent selfies and instead pointed their cameras outside, at this aircraft which stars in the celebration of a new era for Canadian aviation.

But, um, hasn't Air Canada been flying from Toronto to Tokyo for, like, decades? Yes, yes they have, but never before to the Japanese capital's other, very recently updated and better located airport of Haneda, and never before with a Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Flight AC005 is non-stop from YYZ to HND, a lengthy trip which gives the benefits of the 787the greater cabin humidity, lower altitude level, improved personal space, and fuel efficiencya chance to strut their stuff. It was, in fact, the longest flight we've ever done in a 787, and absolutely one of the best in our own travel log.

There once was a time long, long ago when we breathlessly reported the globe-hopping antics of the reality TV show Amazing Race. Alas, we gave up after Season 18 and, now that they're still going strong with what surely must be Season 81, all the Amazing Race excitement fails to raise even an eyebrow.

That is, until we heard about Amazing Race Canada.

The competitors north of the border are the usual mix of cutesy couples, inspiring athletes, and curmudgeonly strange bedfellows; the destinations are as exotic and far-flung as ever; alas, it's the grand prize that's worth sitting up for.

The winning team of Amazing Race Canada's Season 2 will receive $250,000 CAD, two Chevrolet Silverados, gas for life from Petro-Canada, and a year of unlimited Business Class travel on Air Canada.

We come across some downright awesome airline amenity kits in our travels, and the surprises of each zippered pouch can often make or break comfort on a premium flight. With this in mind, here's to our new series: Inside the Amenity Kit, wherein we unzip, unwrap, and expose the loot inside:

When flight AC 5 left Toronto Pearson International Airport on July 15, it was more than the start of a routine 11.5-hour stretch from Toronto to Tokyo-Haneda; that particular flight meant the official inaugural of Air Canada's first Boeing 787 Dreamliner and her brand-spanking-new interiors which included a revamped Business Class and completely fresh Premium Economy.

We flew both during the cause of one roundtrip on the route (which is relatively new itself), and stay tuned for the full report next week. For now, a peek into the swag flyers are handed to improve in-flight comfort:

Sometimes it’s hard to stay on top of all the new route announcements that come our way, so we’ve complied a little bit of a rundown below. As long as you can afford the fares, this should definitely help add to your passport stamp collection.

· Air Canada:Just a couple weeks ago Air Canada opened up a new option between Toronto and Tokyo-Haneda, and just the other day that fresh route got even more exciting. The airline's first Boeing 787 is now doing the flying fun between the two continents. If you’re looking to catch the flight anytime soon, you'll want to book AC005 YYZ - HND and AC006 for the return. As for other Air Canada 787s—they’ll be headed between Toronto and Tel Aviv later this summer and between Vancouver and Asia when winter rolls around. Stay tuned for more!

· Frontier:The folks over at Frontier have been doing plenty of moving and shaking lately when it comes to new routes, and the latest news continues to reveal more and more options across the country. This time they’re focusing in on Chicago-O’Hare, but that doesn’t mean they don’t love other cities as well—St. Louis is also getting a little new route love. New flights between Chicago and Denver begin on October 1, and other brand new options include flights between Chicago and Atlanta starting just a day later. As for St. Louis—the city and airport is getting nonstop flights down to Fort Myers beginning on October 3.